BAGHPAT: A khap panchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district has issued a set of social guidelines banning the use of smartphones for teenagers and prohibiting boys and girls from wearing half-pants, citing concerns over “Western influence” and the erosion of traditional values.The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Thamba Desh Khap, where members said the move was aimed at promoting social discipline, cultural values and harmony within villages. The panchayat also laid down rules to regulate wedding ceremonies, including restrictions on guest lists and curbs on what it termed unnecessary expenditure, according to news agency ANI.As per the resolutions, teenagers—particularly those below 18–20 years—will not be allowed to use smartphones. Phones, if needed, should be kept at home and not given directly to children. The panchayat also decided that weddings should be held in villages or at homes rather than in marriage halls, arguing that large, commercial ceremonies strain relationships and finances. Invitations, it said, should preferably be sent through WhatsApp instead of printed cards.Thamba Desh Khap Chaudhary Brajpal Singh said the decisions reflect the collective will of society. “The decision taken by society is supreme. Similar steps taken in Rajasthan are commendable. We also plan to ban smartphones and half-pants for boys. Children should spend time with family elders to receive proper education and social guidance,” he said, adding that boys aged 18 to 20 do not need mobile phones.Dagadh Khap Chaudhary Ompal Singh echoed similar views, saying unrestricted access to mobile phones could lead to “bad habits”. “The same rule will apply to boys and girls. Phones should remain at home. As for weddings, they should be simple and held within the village. Marriage halls create unnecessary complications in relationships,” he said.Local resident Naresh Pal said the decisions were taken by consensus. “There is no need to give phones to minors. Phone use in schools is a separate matter, but at home it must be regulated. This decision is timely,” he said.The khap panchayat said it plans to implement these guidelines across Uttar Pradesh and will reach out to other khaps to run a coordinated awareness campaign at the village level.
